The RB Leipzig women’s soccer team has begun its preseason preparations for the new Bundesliga season without Lisa Baum and Gina Chmielinski. According to the club, the duo will be leaving the Saxon team after just one year.
Baum’s departure, in particular, comes as a surprise. The 19-year-old joined Leipzig a year ago from newly promoted Hamburger SV and made a strong impression in her debut Bundesliga season. The German U23 national team player scored six goals and recorded five assists right off the bat. “Lisa is one of the greatest talents in international soccer. The fact that she’s already ready to take the next step speaks to the outstanding progress she’s made here in such a short time. Her upcoming transfer is, in many ways, a good solution for everyone involved,” said Viola Odebrecht, Head of Women’s & Girls’ Soccer.
Chmielinski also joined RB from US Sassuolo a year ago, but was not always able to contribute her extensive experience to everyone’s satisfaction. She played 25 times in the Bundesliga, starting 14 of those matches.